American law must respect humanity of the unborn
<[link removed]>


My friend,

 

Before we turn the page on 2021, I want to share an op-ed I co-wrote that was
published this week by the Star Tribune expressing my hope the Supreme Court 
ensures our laws protect the most vulnerable among us.

 

Wishing you a Happy New Year in 2022.

 

All my best – Pete



We will not stop fighting to protect the sanctity of life

By Pete Stauber and Marilyn Musgrave

For the Star Tribune
<[link removed]>

 

Unborn babies in the womb have a heartbeat as early as six weeks. By 10 weeks,
they have arms and legs, fingers and toes. And by 15 weeks, their brain
structures are mature enough to process pain. Science makes it clear that human
life exists in the womb. Sadly, our nation's laws do not reflect these facts.

 

The Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision stated that babies were considered
viable, or able to live after birth, by 28 weeks. For 50 years, this decision
has been used by judges and activists to justify a national status quo of
abortion on demand up to birth.

 

However, since Roe was handed down, medical advances have moved the point of
viability earlier and earlier. In fact, just last month, a little boy born at
21 weeks was confirmed to be the world's most premature surviving baby, proving
that even the smallest babies can have remarkable strength and will to live.

 

This raises the question: Why are we using scientifically inaccurate
information as the legal basis for this cruel and inhumane procedure?

 

It should be noted that the U.S. is one of only a handful of nations —
including China and North Korea — that allow abortion on demand more than
halfway through pregnancy, when unborn babies clearly feel pain. It is far past
time for all of us to hold this nation to a higher standard and recognize the
humanity of the unborn.

 

Sadly, instead of standing side-by-side with their fellow Americans to correct
this colossal wrong that has robbed an estimated 62 million unborn babies of
the right to life, the Biden administration and extreme congressional Democrats
are more radical in promoting abortion violence than ever before.

Earlier this year, Democrats in the House passed the barbaric and deceitfully
named "Women's Health Protection Act," which would go beyond codifying the
antiquated decision made in Roe, by ensuring that abortion is legal for any
reason, up until birth, and must be paid for by taxpayers. The bill would even
eliminate state pro-life laws that have already taken effect.

 

Even more recently, House Democrats abandoned decades of bipartisan consensus
by excluding the Hyde amendment from the budget and their Build Back Broke
legislation.

 

For over 40 years, the Hyde amendment has ensured that Americans are not
forced to pay for abortion violence with their taxpayer dollars and has saved
nearly 2.5 million lives. Once a supporter of the Hyde amendment, President Joe
Biden's capitulation on this longstanding bipartisan agreement demonstrates his
party's shift to extremism.

 

While Democrat leadership may have changed their minds about the Hyde
amendment, the American people have not. In fact, the majority of Americans
agree that taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund abortion.

 

Pro-life Americans like both of us — a current and former member of Congress —
believe that all life has value and must be protected. One of us is a
grandmother of 12, the other is the father of five and a foster parent. As we
celebrate the Christmas season, we can't bear to think how different the world
would be if we weren't given the chance to place a gift under the tree for just
one of these precious children, each one of them being a gift from God.

 

Our support for the unborn, women and families is unwavering. In this season
where we celebrate the new life of our Lord, it is distressing to see our
president and Democratic colleagues embrace policies that would facilitate more
senseless deaths. But we are also encouraged to see a potential victory on the
horizon.

 

Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Dobbs v.
Jackson Women's Health Organization, a case that will determine the legality of
a Mississippi law which prohibits abortion after 15 weeks, when babies can feel
pain. This monumental case could finally give our nation the chance to confront
the inaccurate and immoral legal framework of Roe v. Wade.

 

In this moment, we have much reason to hope. Many experts are already
predicting the court will deem Mississippi's pro-life law constitutional, which
could make states free to enact pro-life laws that match the values of their
citizens, and millions more innocent children and their mothers will be
protected from the horrors of abortion.

 

It is time for America's laws to reflect what we know to be true about the
humanity of the unborn. Therefore, we will not stop praying that the Supreme
Court ensures our laws protect the most vulnerable among us and we will not
stop fighting to defend the sanctity of life in the halls of Congress.

 

Pete Stauber represents Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District in the U.S.
House. Marilyn Musgrave is a former member of Congress who represented
Colorado's Fourth District and is vice president for government affairs of the
Susan B. Anthony List.

 

 


   
Click here to unsubscribe.
<[link removed]>